Major Cody had fallen on hard times in the winter of 2016.  He had lost his apartment and was staying with family and friends.  One February night his friend let him sleep in the back of a moving truck that was parked outside. During the next week Major's feet began to burn and swell.  Major tried soaking his feet in warm water and wrapping them up to help with the swelling, but things had gotten so severe that he could not walk.  Major was not able to get shoes on his swollen and sore feet and he was only able to get around by using crutches.  Over the next couple of weeks Major's feet would get a little better and then they would get a little worse.  Finally the pain was too much to bear and he called 911.  After spending quite a few hours in the emergency room, soaking his feet in warm solutions, the emergency room physician admitted Major to the hospital.  In the first two weeks Major was in the hospital his feet turned black and became hard to the touch.  After spending an entire month in the hospital Major was moved to a Skilled Nursing Facility, all the while his doctors were trying to save his feet.  For six months the doctors exhausted every effort to save Major's feet, so he was optimistic that at some point things would turn around.  

In August of 2016, Major's doctors finally made the decision that amputating both feet below the knee was the only course of action left to take.  Major's optimism was dashed and he had a very difficult time accepting the news.  Once the amputation surgery was complete he was told he would be discharged the next day. He remembers being extremely upset as his pain was so great and the bleeding was so heavy.  He ended up having complications that kept him in the hospital for a week and then he was on his way back to the nursing home.  Major had a very difficult time trying to process the loss of his legs.  He was suicidal at first and spent every waking moment thinking about how he could possibly live with no legs.  He began to see a psychologist once a week. Between his visits with the psychologist and his family and friends he felt so much encouragement and he began praying.  It took several weeks, but towards the end of September things started to look up.  

Major says that the biggest challenge for him was accepting the loss of his legs and learning to go on without them.  Since beginning physical therapy with his prostheses, Major says the challenge has shifted.  Now it is more about relearning balance and endurance.  The whole process from beginning to end has been tough, but Major says "being strong, never giving up, praying, having people to talk to and taking the help that was offered to him" are the keys that brought him to where he is today. 

In August of 2017, slightly one year after his amputations, Major will begin looking for his own place and will begin the process of leaving the nursing home!  He is looking forward to getting back to his life.  He is also very thankful for those who have helped along the way.  Major feels so fortunate to have worked with all of his therapists at the nursing home; Amanda, PJ, Kay, Tasha, Morgan and Todd.  He "gives them all an A+ for the care and training they have given."  He is also very happy to have been referred to Optimus Prosthetics.  Major is so glad he is working with Travis - Travis was and is a huge help and is his "numero uno" when it comes to prosthetic care!